The project will improve connectivity, walkability, and safety for residents and students who currently use two unimproved and overgrown paths on 25th and 26th avenues SW, between SW Trenton and SW Cloverdale streets. Project elements include:

Two 10-foot wide asphalt walkways on 25th and 26th avenues SW running between SW Trenton St and the cul-de-sac to the north

Pedestrian lights along the two paths

Removal of overgrown vegetation and installation of new trees and plants where appropriate

Possible new plaza space at 25th Ave SW and SW Trenton St, either defined by paint or constructed with concrete

This is the first phase of outreach and we’d like to hear from you!Email us by April 9 to let us know:

What do you like about the design so far? Do you have any concerns?

What would you like to see at the possible plaza area at 25th Ave SW and SW Trenton St? How would you want to use this space?

What else would you like us to know about how you use this area? What improvements would you like to see?

Do you have recommendations for how to keep people informed about the project?

Stay Involved!

This project is being designed in 2017, with construction scheduled for 2018. We’re committed to keeping you informed throughout the life of the project. We’ll keep you engaged as design begins and stay in touch throughout the year. Are you interested in joining the project’s email list? Click here to sign up!

We are designing and building a transportation project proposed by your neighbors to make it safer for people walking and biking and to strengthen community. To learn more about the project or request translations, call (206) 451-8191.

The weekend starts with the Preview Party a fundraiser for the MG Foundation of King County, Friday, May 5. Tickets are available.

Tons of tomatoes, veggie starts, fragrant herbs, perennials, natives and specialty vendors with garden art. Master Gardeners will help to to choose the right plants, find easy-to-grow plants, and give advice on planting and maintaining your garden throughout the year. Join us to get your garden growing this year.

NEW this year. Garden Education Talks on Saturday, May 6th. Open to the Public: Ciscoe Morris, Karen Chapman, Bill Thorness, Elaine Sherbrooke.

As Seattle evolves as a world class bicycle city people are unable to use safety as an excuse not to ride two wheel transportation. In Seattle however there is another excuse that is very commonly referred to is THE HILLS!
Well, use that excuse no more. As electric bikes evolve into real everyday transportation the hills have gotten a lot easier. You may, in fact, find yourself passing up those racer bike riders with their more expensive bikes and clothing.
As stated above, electric bikes are in a period of evolution. The modern electric bicycle has been available to the public for about ten years. During that time that electric systems have gone from barely helpful 24 volt, 250 watt systems to very helpful 52 volt, 1700 watt systems. The electric bicycle like the standard bicycle has the same freedom of regulations. The electric bike power is subject to regulations however starting with the wattage maximum at 1,000 watts and speeds unassisted by the motor at 20 mph.

Because of the Seattle hills an E Bike that is to be used as a car replacement needs to have sufficient wattage to make the system handle the hills and not overwork, leading to early wear. This class of electric bike is class 3 model and will have a minimum of 48 volts with 350 watts. The more watts you have the less the system has to work to get up our hills.

The need for power will very with the size of the rider or the E Bikes cargo loads. These two factors also determine the range of the bike per each charge. The battery is the heart of the system and is rated on voltage and amp hours. The more amp hours the more range you will have. All the systems have multiple choices of power outputs. The higher the power selection the more power you will have but the range will come down as well.

The price range on Electric Bicycles is from 2,000 to 5,000 dollars or the price of a used car that needs a lot of expensive work. With the E Bike however you will get exercise, make it to your destination refreshed and be able to get around any congestion. Next time you are stuck in traffic remember that.

Easy Changes, Big Impact: How to Make Your Cleaning Routine Better for the Environment

Trying to be more eco-friendly as a busy parent can sometimes seem like a struggle – you already have so much on your hands, how can you find the time? If you’re looking for simple ideas that can really make a difference to the environment – and your family – then why not start by reassessing what’s in your cleaning cupboard? It can be as easy as picking up a different product in the store, but having a real impact; studies by the Environmental Protection Agency show that indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outside airdue to toxic chemicals from cleaning products.

Better for Your Family

Closer to home, studies have also shown that conventional cleaning products canincrease the risk of asthma in children; and many scientists support the ‘hygiene hypothesis’ that using chemical cleaners which are “too effective” limits the exposure of children to germs. This means that their immune systems fail to build up defences against harmful bacteria and become hypersensitive, often causing lifelong allergies to things like dust and pollen.

How to Make Your Cleaning More Eco-Friendly

Fortunately, it’s easy and simple to switch to environmentally conscious cleaning products and methods, without sacrificing the results. Many of the solutions can be homemade, and are far cheaper than branded alternatives. Get creative and think about where else you can apply the principles:how about cleaning your caror pet’s crate?

· If you have limey water prone to scaling up in your bathroom and kitchen, try something acidic like vinegar, lemon juice or diet soda to remove the deposits.

· Stains on ovens, sinks or cookers respond well to bicarbonate of soda.

· Open your windows regularly for a blast of fresh air rather than spraying harmful aerosols or using air conditioning units.

· Use natural wax or oil for cleaning and polishing furniture.

If you’re struggling to go 100% eco-friendly straight away, don’t worry –try and cut out the most toxic chemicals first. Ammonia and chlorine are too big ones to watch out for; and by doing so, you’ll be helping the environment and your family.

Celebrate the start of spring!

This month we officially say goodbye to winter and welcome the the start of spring. This means that it’s that time of year when our forests will be getting greener, giving us all the more reason to get outside. Check out how we are celebrating the spring season by spreading awareness about invasive species and learning about Washington’s early bloomers.

Invasive Species Awareness Week

Last week, we celebrated Invasive Species Awareness Week by featuring insights from local ecologists on their “favorite” invasive plants. Click HERE to see what Seattle Parks and Recreation’s own Bridget Kelsh has to say about invasive blackberry and her time spent tackling it on Seattle’s Natural Areas Crew.

See it? Report it!

The Washington Invasive Species Council has created an easy-to-use app to report sightings of invasive plants, animals and other pesky organisms anywhere in Washington State. Just take a photo and upload it to the app, and your report will be sent directly to the right agency. Learn more about the app HERE.

Signs of Spring

It may be hard to believe, but the official start of spring is just two weeks away! Forterra wants you to know which native plants will be blooming in the month ahead, and to get to know Washington’s true first signs of spring. Click HERE to learn about Washington’s early-bloomers, and get to know more about our state’s native plants.